The highly anticipated sixth and final curtain call of "The Handmaid’s Tale" looms on the horizon, and on Wednesday, the star-studded cast alongside the ingenious creative team gathered at PaleyFest LA under the Hulu spotlight, reflecting on the show’s eventful journey while hinting at what lies ahead.
Luminaries such as Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Bradley Whitford, Ann Dowd, Samira Wiley, O-T Fagbenle, Madeline Brewer, Amanda Brugel, Sam Jaeger, and Ever Carradine converged with executive producers Eric Tuchman, Yahlin Chang, Bruce Miller, and Warren Littlefield at the Dolby Theatre for an enchanting "clips and conversation" event that encapsulated the essence of all six seasons. Miller, the visionary creator, remarked, “We embarked on this journey as we pleased, and now, we conclude it precisely as we envisioned.” Littlefield further elaborated, reminiscing about their initial aspiration of merely crafting a superior TV series, “Little did we know that our 45th president would steer us into an entirely different realm… Transforming us into a beacon of resistance and a champion for human rights.”
As the montage of clips unfolded, the cast shared laughter and tears, revisiting poignant moments from the series. Strahovski deemed a season one scene between her and Moss as “unbearably heart-wrenching,” while Wiley, dabbing her tears after another poignant moment, quipped, “This show packs quite the punch.” Whitford, praising Moss for her phenomenal portrayal akin to “living Sophie’s Choice every episode, it’s astonishing what she’s endured,” also confessed, “Watching these clips leaves me bitter, my heart shrinks to the size of a raisin, and I’m weeping buckets.”
Anticipating the forthcoming final season, co-showrunner Chang shared, “We yearned for this season to serve as a heartfelt tribute to our dedicated fans. You’ve stood by us through thick and thin — we’re acutely aware that this isn’t an easy watch.” He pondered that after penning “numerous soul-crushing episodes,” he craved “nothing but uplifting episodes, culminating in victories, hope, triumph, and inspiration… This season aims to reward our audience.”
Whitford delved into the show’s conclusion amidst the present political landscape, stating, “It’s surreal to recall that we commenced filming in 2016; unimaginable events have unfolded, leaving us bewildered.” He continued, “We must confront this moment, and June [Moss’ character] exemplifies the core principle we must cherish: despair is a luxury our children cannot afford. Racism, misogyny, and religious hypocrisy will persist.”
Echoing his sentiments, Littlefield emphasized, “In a world that tempts us to retreat due to its pain, we must persist in the fight. Our female protagonists are not Marvel heroes, but ordinary women performing extraordinary deeds. Thus, our message is clear — the war may not be over, but the struggle persists. This gives us hope, and it’s what we strive to convey. This is our enduring legacy.”
Mark your calendars: "The Handmaid’s Tale" returns for its final season premiere on April 8 on Hulu.
